Police urge caution over B.C. Day long weekend

Vancouver police are urging people not to bring liquor to the city this long weekend. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Vancouver police are reminding the public to be safe over the B.C. Day long weekend.

Thousands of people will descend upon the city for the closing night of the Celebration of Light fireworks show on Saturday and the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday.

"We’ll be out in force," says Const. Brian Montague.

"We'll have officers on bicycles, we'll have officers on foot, our public safety unit will be out, our marine unit will be out in the water ... our Air One will be up in the sky. It's going to be a busy weekend."

Montague says people are encouraged to head into the city to enjoy the festivities — but should leave liquor at home.

"It’s a $230-fine if you get caught," he said. "Most of our problems are alcohol-related and we're really trying to make sure that everyone has a good time and everyone feels safe in the large crowds."

ICBC is also reminding people to drive cautiously on what is one of the deadliest weekends on the road with an average of five fatalities.

"There’s really no reason for it," said spokesperson Mark Jan Vrem.

"We're just asking drivers to be careful, exercise due diligence when you're on the road, pay attention to what you're doing, and hopefully we can get through this weekend without any fatalities."